Are you the type of individual who enjoys meeting new people for business or pleasure? Does it make you feel excited whenever you are in a crowd of people whom you have met for the first time? Is it easy or convenient for you to connect with strangers or get to know them? If you answered yes to all these questions, then consider yourself lucky because it seems that you have a high level of social skills and that you know how psychology works. Conversely, if you believe that you belong to the part of the population that is clueless on what to do when meeting people for the first time, then be sure to read this article.

Before anything else, it is essential to highlight the fact that you need to be careful when it comes to engaging with strangers. Keep in mind that you have no idea about the taste and preferences of the other people that you encounter. Even if you have already researched them, it is still not highly recommended for you to make any assumption during the first meeting. As such, you must learn how to be mindful of your thoughts and actions to ensure that nothing will go wrong in your encounter with them.

Here are the top things to keep in mind if you want to have a worry-free first meeting with these individuals:

Keep Your Cool

Do not let the other person know that you are anxious or nervous on the inside when dealing with them. Although it is acceptable to feel uneasy since you are not used to it, but you must not forget that the other individual also feels the same. To lessen the tension between the two of you, make sure to keep your cool. Let the other person sense that you are calm so that he can also emit the same level of energy. When this happens, it would be easier for both of you to connect.

Be A Good Listener

Are you aware that one of the things that can instantly make the other person like you based on first impressions is to show him that you are a good listener? As much as possible, let the other person go on about his story or the topic that you are talking about. Let him lead the conversation so that he will continue to feel comfortable with his presence. He will surely appreciate it the moment he realizes that you have all your ears for him. However, it does not mean that you will keep quiet for the whole time. Find time to make little comments that are neutral or safe. Say the right words in your conversations, and there is a high guarantee that everything is going to turn out fine for both of you.

Focus On Body Language

As much as possible, educate yourself about different body languages. The way your body moves says a lot about you as a person. For example, a simple stroke on the arms of the person you’re talking to shows that you somehow like that individual. At the same time, the way you stare or look at the other person also shows whether you are interested in what he is talking or not. Everybody movement has a particular meaning, which is why you need to get used to all these to ensure that you are not going to send the wrong signal to someone you met recently.

Avoid Politics And Religion

Another essential tip to keep in mind is to be choosy when it comes to selecting topics to talk about. As already mentioned earlier, you are not sure about the stand of others unless you have known them for quite a long time already. Hence, it is advisable for you to raise neutral topics or issues – those that will not lead to arguments or disagreements. Take note that talks about politics and religion can bring up heated discussions, even if it was not the intention in the first place. To be safe, stick with common topics and reserve debates for a future encounter.

Are you aware that many people these days are starting to commit suicide because of their problems and issues? Others say that these individuals are weak enough for ending their own lives instead of fighting the remaining battles in their lives. They are the ones who chose the easy way out. Because of all these, people are reminded once again to focus on taking good care of themselves – not only physically or mentally. At times, there may be a need to try online therapy.

If you are also going through a rough time in your life right now, do not be embarrassed to try counseling or therapy. With the recent advancements in technology, it is now possible to have a therapist without the need to go to an office. Nowadays, you can easily contact a therapist who can help you get a better understanding of everything that is happening in your life. Most importantly, this professional can also help you manifest more happiness in your life.

Below are the top signs that you need to consider online therapy:

You Are In Constant Emotional Pain

Having negative emotions at all times can be challenging on your part because it may influence you to do things that you do not want to. As such, whenever you are in great pain, the best thing to do is to take a break from all the things that are making your schedule crazy. Once you do this, start to plan how you are going to contact an online therapist. This professional will then provide you with better ways on how to handle your emotions, especially those that make you cry.

You Need Someone To Talk To

Not having people to talk about or discuss your concerns can be problematic on your part. It hurts to realize that you do not have someone in your life that you can trust with all your feelings and emotions. Instead of wallowing into grief and sadness, it is suggested to book an appointment with a therapist. He is the one who can provide you a shoulder to cry one. You will be amazed at the kind of relief that you would fall the moment you consider such an agreement.

You Recently Suffered A Trauma

Going through a traumatic experience is not an easy thing to do. No matter how strong or firm you are, there will always be a part of you that will bend whenever you experience trauma. Instead of worrying more about this matter, it is best if you would book for a session with an online therapist. If you believe that you need more time to heal and overcome the trauma, you can always extend the number of meetings with the therapist. However, it is best if you would inform the licensed counselor or therapist ahead of time.

You Have No Idea Of The Future

Another thing that can make you feel bad in this life is thinking about the future, which is uncertain. If you are confident with how your life is turning around, then you are going to move forward to better tomorrows. On the other hand, if you are confused with a lot of things and you have no idea where to start processing them, then do not hesitate to contact an online therapist. Keep in mind that therapy sessions may include teaching strategies and techniques to solve your life’s battles.

Conclusion

The sad thing about our society is that seeking therapy is still considered a taboo. There are still some people who continue to claim that those who seek professional help have already gone mad or crazy. Well, this is a wrong or false statement. Just because one book an appointment with a licensed therapist or counselor does not mean that the said individual is insane.

Keep in mind that online therapy may or may not be adequate for you. As such, it is essential for you to participate in all activities and exercises. Moreover, it is ideal if you will cooperate with the therapist well. Do not give him or her a hard time understanding what you want. Everything you do will eventually be worth it someday.

According to a 2017 report from Mental Health America, 80 percent of employees deal with a high level of stress that tends to affect their relationships outside of the workplace. Almost a third of these folks feel the need to take several days off work every month to try to cool down and avoid blowing up in the office.…

A lot of people enjoy buying items for themselves or shopping for other people. Unfortunately, many of these individuals end up being in a state of bankruptcy because of overwhelming debts. It is such a sad reality that many people suffer from the adverse effects of being a shopaholic. Some of them may claim that they are only shopping since they consider the activity as retail therapy. In our point of view, we believe that shopping can be something great and advantageous for someone, as long as she knows how to control her urges.

If you consider yourself as a shopping addict, make sure to familiarize some guidelines that you have to observe so that you can overcome this addiction. Take note that just like any addiction disorder, being shopaholic can have adverse consequences. It can be dangerous if not prevented as soon as possible. Below is the list of guidelines to follow:

Understand Your Finances

The initial or first step that you must take is to find a way to understand your current financial situation. You can start by identifying the amount of income that you receive every month. Once you have the number, deduct the number of expenses that you also incur every month.

Keep in mind that the answer to the said equation cannot be considered as “free” money. You have to take a percentage of future savings. Whatever is left can be disposed of according to your wants, such as shopping for stuff. Knowing the current level of your finances is essential so that you can determine whether you have enough cash to continue being a shopaholic.

Join Support Groups

Another thing that you can consider is joining support groups that are composed of people who are going through the same problem as yours. Whether you like it or not, it has been proven that group therapy sessions can be beneficial for the attendees. As such, it is highly recommended if you will find time to search for the most engaging and truthful support group for shopaholics like you.

Remember that the moment you become part of the group system, it is imperative on your part to remain honest about what you honestly feel. You can never get better if you continue to think that there is nothing wrong about loving shopping activities. Be mature enough to recognize what is wrong in your life so that it can still be fixed. Never hesitate to ask for help from the right people in the group.

Seek Professional Help

The saddest thing about addiction is that it does not only destroy your life as a person. At the same time, it also exposes you to several vulnerabilities to the point that you will start to hurt the people surrounding you. When this happens, there is a high likelihood that your relationships with them may be affected in a bad light. At the same time, it can also make you doubt your capacity to succeed or achieve happiness.

Luckily, you can always choose to try professional help to ensure that you will receive the right kind of treatment. Do not fret because the choice solely depends on your preferences. You have the absolute right to decide who is going to be your therapist. If you are unsure about this choice, feel free to get in touch with some friends or acquaintances who can refer you to another therapist.

Give Up Your Cards

As already mentioned above, there is nothing wrong about wanting to purchase a particular item especially when it is on sale. What is unforgivable is when you get something on loan, via credit card, when in truth you are sure that it will never be paid because of your present financial condition.

The best thing that you can do at this point is to gather your credit cards and only choose one. Keep in mind that you do not need to have tons of credit cards because you can always want to pay in cash. In so doing, you can help yourself in controlling your shopping tendencies since you no longer have a card to use for the purchases.

Shopping is not bad, as long as you know how to control yourself. However, once it becomes an addiction, you have to act on it as soon as possible.

The Valentine’s Day for 2019 is just around the corner, which means that several people are now thinking of the best gifts for their partners or even family members. If you are one of these individuals, then you are aware that there are many challenges to face when it comes to gift giving. First of all, it is quite challenging to identify what to give your partner. There is always that fear that you may provide something that is way over the board or one that is too cheap.

Aside from this, the budget is also an important consideration when buying gifts. How much are you willing to spend for Valentine’s Day celebration? Moreover, you will also find it difficult to look for a gift that will suit the personality of the person you love. Below are some of the tips and tricks that you need to follow to ensure that everything will be smooth sailing on your part. Make sure to familiarize yourself with these strategies for a worry-free gift search:

Keep It Simple

The first thing that you need to remember is that the simple your gift is, the better. It means that you do not have to pressure yourself into buying an extravagant present. One of the smart suggestions that you can try is to get something personalized for your partner. For sure, she will appreciate it a lot especially if you are the one who prepared it. A perfect example for this is a scrapbook that contains all the photos of the great moments that you shared.

Know Your Budget

Another essential factor to consider is the amount of budget that you are willing to spend for the Valentine’s Day event. As already mentioned above, never pressure yourself into paying more than what you can afford. A person who truly loves you will not look at the amount or cost of the gift that she will receive from you. Instead, she will appreciate you for who you are, regardless of what you have given her for the special day. Fortunately, you can get something cool and special, even at an affordable price.

Shop Early

Always remember that there is such a thing as Valentine’s Day rush. It is the season where many people are already engaged in panic buying. They usually buy the gifts at the last minute, which is why it becomes more complicated on their part. Take note that you can never think straight if you are in a hurry. As such, the best thing to do is to buy the present ahead of time. You can get it as early as the last week of January so that you can save yourself from the unnecessary stress. At the same time, it can also allow or enable you to save more money. Keep in mind that the prices of the gift items usually increase during the February 1 to February 14.

Be Resourceful

The goal is to find a unique gift or present that will make your partner smile. You have to be resourceful in finding out what she wants. If you want everything to be a surprise, you can always ask some friends or family members about what she likes to receive. However, you need to be sure that the other party cannot detect that you are planning for a surprise. Otherwise, everything will no longer be exciting contrary to what you expected.

Think Out Of The Box

At this point, it is imperative to emphasize the fact that the term “gift” does not only refer to a material item or something that can be touched. It can also mean a wonderful gesture or a great experience. Hence, it is time to start thinking out of the box. An excellent example of this is deciding to cook for your partner during Valentine’s Day instead of staying at home. Another option is to go on an out of town trip together instead of merely giving the other party a material gift.

Conclusion

Be sure to remember all the ideas mentioned above so that you can avoid any inconvenience and hassle brought by gift giving. As repeated continuously in the article, the price of the gift is not the significant factor that can wow the recipient. Because of this, it is crucial to have a deeper understanding of who your partner is. Take note that you can only think of the best gift or present if you know who she is. Otherwise, you will only end up doing something that she may hate.

The best part about gift giving these days is that you can simply go online and make the purchase from your favorite e-commerce store. If you prefer the traditional way of shopping, you can always visit a local department store or shop. The choice actually depends on your taste and preference. Enjoy the gift hunt!

Succulents are one of the cutest, low maintenance plants I’ve known. I first fell in love with those plants when I received them as a birthday gift some years ago. I don’t want that beautiful bowl arrangement to go to waste, so I took care of them well. With my fascination, I end up reading a lot of stuff on how to take care of them. And it’s not really that hard, not like other delicate plants.

When leaves fell off, I just leave them there, and they grow on their own.

It was terrific seeing leaves all around, starting to have roots of their own and little shoots. It gave me the idea of why not propagate them. I did my homework and researched on the proper method on propagating succulents. I bought small pots, cactus mix soil, and put in there the leaves that fell off. After a few months, I got a small garden of beautiful succulents from the gift I received and some that I bought at the garden center.

My First Succulent Arrangement

I transferred some of my succulents in cute ceramics and rustic tin cans. I took pictures and post them on my IG. My friends loved it, and someone invited me to join their succulent lover group. Their collections were so amazing. Their rare succulents and cactus inspired me to make more succulent arrangements. It was not a beauty at first, but I learned by watching vids on YouTube.

It gave me so much happiness and fulfillment growing these plants and creating every container.

Started My Business

I have my friends as my first customers. I persuaded them instead of simple flower arrangements, why not give succulent arrangements. They can last for a year with very low maintenance.

When I had built quite a number of frequenters, I received requests to why not arrange bigger ones. Some of my customers would even ask me to arrange for their gardens and rare big bowls.

They came to love my succulent arrangement. The used to be unloved, unnoticed, very inferior of all plants, now have their share in the limelight. You can even see them now being used as a centerpiece, sharing the fame alongside with beautiful big flowers in the bouquet.

Color Combination, Trick On Making Your Own Arrangement

Succulents have a beauty of their own, and with little simple techniques, you can really make them stand out from the crowd.

If you receive a bowl of succulent arrangement, you may grow to love it also and make another arrangement out of it. To give you some idea and have fun with them, you can arrange your own pot based on colors, sizes, and patterns. Succulent arrangements come in various colors and different shapes. Don’t be afraid to experiment to make your design more interesting.

Who would ever believe that I’ll be able to make it as a business? It started as a simple gift that brought me happiness. Then, it became a hobby that enhances my creativity and cultivates the entrepreneur side of me.

You, too, can turn your hobby into a business if you wanted to. All you need is to be creative and have basic business skills.

This Christmas, I’m putting succulent arrangements in a basket. We will put in together beautiful plants that can serve as your centerpiece this holiday as you enjoy the feast with your family. It can you can give as a gift that can light up any room all year round. Just water it a few times a week and with a little trim, you can keep it the whole year through.…

There might be times when someone with ADHD acts in a way that can upset you or others. However, don’t blame them because those struggling with ADHD tend to have lower levels of neurotransmitters, such as Dopamine.

In social media platform, self-improvement quotes are often shared to motivate and encourage people to be a better version of themselves. The #goals or #inspiration are often used in sharing statuses, videos, and pictures that we hope to attain the future. Achieving these dreams and goals will not happen with any regularity and action towards that particular inspiration. It entails daily decision to prioritize the essential and reject the unnecessary and senseless activities. It will involve sacrifice and break out your comfort zone. These ideas are easier said than done. …

A person has a wide range of behavioral aspects that they apply to their everyday lives. These traits or manners can somehow affect their decision making, environmental adaptation, mental development, and social involvement. It is a pattern of characteristics where the response is based on observable actions that executed in both negative and positive ways. The overall principle of behavior varies from teaching and learning where people tend to adapt to the environment and interact with different types of approach.

Source: planningengineer.net

The Law and Effect of Behavior

A person’s behavior is mostly affected by the environment and the product of an immediate response from his experiences. A psychological process can define the nature of how behavior can be understood. There are ways where it is measured according to the full application of practice. It is either positive reinforcement of punishment.

The positive reinforcement – A person’s behavior sometimes vary on incremental rewards and appreciation. This compensation serves as a motivational goal for an individual to use his internal attitude or value system. This system will serve as a tool to produce a long-term change in a person’s character as well as his manners towards others.

The principle applies to positive reinforcement. People tend to act friendly because they want to and not because they were forced. Positive reinforcement is used to establish emotional control that progresses on behavioral effectiveness. It is when someone greets a person with ‘hi,’ and a ‘hello’ is replied back.

A person’s behavioral response will be nice if treated nicely. Same as if he is treated impolitely, the response will be reciprocated. It is due to the human psychological reaction based on different types of approach. However, most people rely on reciprocal attitude compared to those who reward bad behavior. The natural response should be the same as the approach, though sometimes it is the other way around due to avoidance of conflict.

Source: Flshss.pubs.asha.org

The Attitudinal Changes

The negative consequences do not help a person’s attitude and can make it worse in some cases. Too much argument can lead to misunderstanding and practically end up not being able to express at all. Bad behavior is commonly reflected as disrespect, and it can affect a person’s personality.

The adjustment to one’s attitude negatively varies from the restriction of privilege, verbal correction, physical punishment, and silent treatment. A negative interaction creates a negative impact on behavior making it crucial on a pre-existing lousy mood. The attitudinal changes happen when someone tries to imply both negative and positive consequences and end up complicating both.

To determine a person’s behavior, one could make a judgment. Do not tell a person they are wrong because they will not listen. It will only complicate things and might result in an unpredictable situation. You have to understand that their actions create impact based on the deliverance of your statement. Always remember that every behavior will depend on the approach and the results may depend on how a person is environmentally raised, socially involved, and psychologically treated.…